Any interest in an Opel Restoration Guide??

[opelspyder]

I'm going to throw this out there and see what I get. I in no way am stating I am the go to Opel guy here, but would there be any interest in an Opel Restoration Guide??? What I mean is about a year ago I starting writing a book about my own experiences with Opels and how to do a budget build. I got through about 5 chapters and never finished it. I see all kinds of books about other how to restore this and that, and wondered about an Opel specific one. And since I have an Opel GT I am restoring now, it might help as to offer some pictorial examples. Maybe even make it a purist manual as well. Showing differences and often overlooked items to these cars. I figure with the 100,000 that some people would be interested. I don't expect to be on the bestseller list, but I am throwing it out there. I don't know what to do after it is written as far as making it "coffee table quality" or having it bound and printed. So lets hear it

[sawdust]

I am all for an "Opel Restore for Dummies".

[BQS4]

Cool idea Keith, I'd be interested.

[GTJIM]

In these days of DeskTop Publishing it is far easier to get your 'book' put together in a computer file and sell it as a download for the recipient to get one copy printed at their end. We would soon notice if anyone tried to infringe your CopyRight and print more copies to sell! There are systems available now that can let people get one book printed economically.

Have a good look at this form of 'printing' as it dramatically reduces the author's costs and really speeds the finished product to market ... without the "Carbon Costs" of shipping heavy books to and fro.

HTH

[newman27]

Keith,

I would be the first to buy a copy - especially if pix of my car are going to be in there - how cool is that! . Expanding on what GTJIM posted, an electronic version would probably be a more cost effective publishing method for a book with a highly specialized audience. Using Adobe Acrobat, you can layout an entire book. This has two benefits:

1) The Adobe Acrobat file format can be viewed on any computer using the free Adobe Acrobat reader download.
2) You can lock the file against editing to ensure your work remains in its original format. That doesn't stop someone from sending a free copy to others, but it ensures the integrity of the document.

Also, early in the discussion on the COMMENTS thread, the idea of shooting video of the restoration was proposed. I know you don't want to shoot a lot of video but maybe some short clips of the more difficult or interesting tasks would be good. Again, with electronic publishing, you could embed the video directly in the document along with the photos and text. Finally, eBay would be one good method of selling your work. You could simply email the buyer a copy of the document as an Adobe ".pdf" file.

Sounds like a great idea.

Matt

[FXpowered]

Sure, i'd love a book on how to restore opels. Mustangs and corvettes have their own books, why not opels?

sounds great, i'd buy one.

[hallgeir]

Very good idea.

[azopelnut]

I think the book is a great idea as long as long as you keep it simple and mostly DIY!

[jackcartwright]

Count me in.
jc

[Geek]

I'm in - and I showered recently (I'm afraid of needles).

[soybean]

I think it would be a great idea Keith. As Newman and a couple others pointed out a downladed version would be nice and save money too. Count me in if you decide to go for it. Jarrell

[wrangler]

Would not only be interested in the book, but like I said back when you first started, would love an accompaning video to go with it... even if it just a few shots of the progress along the way.

[opelspyder]

I am going to look into some of the other style restoration guides, such as mustang, camaro and such. I just need to see about copyright issues. I don't know if you need special permission for that kind of thing??? I will look at what others have for credits and all. Of course Opel is not a U.S. supplier anymore, and profit would be made off the how to part of Opels, not really Opels

[jerseydave]

Keith any update on the book project, I would definitely be interested.

[West Coast GT]

I 'd like one.
Actually, I'd like a signed copy.

[Dale .D]

Originally Posted by opelspyder I'm going to throw this out there and see what I get. I in no way am stating I am the go to Opel guy here, but would there be any interest in an Opel Restoration Guide??? What I mean is about a year ago I starting writing a book about my own experiences with Opels and how to do a budget build. I got through about 5 chapters and never finished it. I see all kinds of books about other how to restore this and that, and wondered about an Opel specific one. And since I have an Opel GT I am restoring now, it might help as to offer some pictorial examples. Maybe even make it a purist manual as well. Showing differences and often overlooked items to these cars. I figure with the 100,000 that some people would be interested. I don't expect to be on the bestseller list, but I am throwing it out there. I don't know what to do after it is written as far as making it "coffee table quality" or having it bound and printed. So lets hear it

Please do.Bound with color pictures.With the money we throw at these things paying 30 or 40$ would be nothing & incredibly usefull.There's alot of different views out there & many different ways to skin the same cat.Maybe several books.drivetrain ,electrical ,body ect?.There's allot of pro's out there for first rate info. Can't wait!

[opelspyder]

I have considered doing this, even to the point of writing several pages. Then what happens....I start to read it and it sounds like a 14 year old kid wrote it. No comments Harold please. Anyways I think for me to do something like this I would need a ghost writer of sorts, or even a layout specialist that can help me organize my thoughts and pictures into a guide to actually help out. There are two or three styles I have looked into. One is the new style where it is quite more pictures, not very long but with some good hints such as the books for painting or doing upholstery. They are general though for every car. 2, you have the full manual that lists numbers, and markings and pictured breakdowns, but do not actually describe how things are removed or such because they cover a vast majority of the year models, such as Ford Torino 68-72. The book covers all body styles vaugely. I wouldn't have that problem with a GT though, only slight differences. And then I get picky about the pictures I have taken, and the backgrounds are not the best, you know some guy in the shop picking his nose and what not. So I have considered, but guess I need help. Now who can hang out with me on the weekends and take pictures and notes, and then ghost write it for me????? Not easy either, lots of information to condense as well. I am still trying though, I just do not know a whole lot about the publishing and layout aspect to get too far I think
Keith
Any help at keithlundholm (at)yahoo.com

[Sparky73]

Sorry things aren't going well Keith. If anything does happen with the book, I'm interested in one as well though! Good Luck!

[Gary Sullivan]

I really like this idea and hope you can pursue it. I wanted to mention something to you as well. I also subscribe to Auto Restorer and the restoration articles in it are excellent in my view and quite valuable regardless of the make/model of car. If you haven't seen any of those, I could send you a copy to peruse. It might give you some ideas. Instead of a full book of restoration on a car, they have individual articles on a car stretched out over an extended period and I think their advice and approach is excellent.
If you want me to send a copy of that to you let me know. And while I'm not close to you there, I would like to be able to find some way of helping you advance your project.
Gary Sullivan

[opelspyder]

I have seen the Restorers publication you speak of, I think people want a more overall guide. There is a lot of little tid bits that a 10 page publication just cannot cover
Keith

[Mike Trout]

Keith if theres any help you need let me know I am a certified restoration technician not just opels but all cars in general and a certified PPG painter.
And a bunch of other stuff. Have any questions or need a hand with anything let me know.

Mike,

[71opeldad]

I am in for one, in any form. Don't worry about the big words. All I want is a detailed explination. If it has a clear picture of something I havn't seen before it is gold to me. There are plenty of pro's here to help you though the technical rough stuff too. You can only fail by not trying.

[BobCGT]

Keith,

I will be on the list for a book also, in any form.
Its because of members such as yourself that will share their knowledge of the Opel,that the rest of us learn, with a little confidence to tackle restoration of our cars.